Welding lead cable connector holding apparatus for locking and protecting welding leads

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for locking welding leads together and for protecting such welding leads. A method of locking welding leads together.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of welding. More particularly, thisdisclosure relates to an apparatus for locking welding lead cableconnectors together and for protecting such welding lead cableconnectors.

BACKGROUND

Welding leads (or “welding cable”) is an electrical conductor fortransmitting a welding current used for welding materials together(e.g., for arc welding or resistance welding). Welding leads typicallyinclude small copper strands wrapped together inside a nonconductiveouter layer. Such leads typically have enlarged ends in the form ofcable connectors wherein one end is typically a male end and the other afemale end with both make and female features being highly conductive.

Welding leads can be both dangerous and expensive. Some dangers includepotential electrocution if the connection between a first welding leadcable connector connected to a second welding leads cable connectorbecomes loose and conductive material is exposed outside or otherwisebeing the nonconductive outer layer of the welding leads. Although somewelding leads have features that help to better secure a connectionbetween other welding leads, connections between welding lead cableconnectors can still easily become loose or become disengagedaltogether. The relative ease at which such leads can be disconnectedalso makes them susceptible to theft.

What is needed, therefore, is a device and method to overcome the issuesmentioned above related to common welding leads.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by an apparatus for holding weldinglead cable connectors together and for protecting such welding leads,the apparatus including (a) a shell defining a primary cavity therein,the shell further comprising a first shell member and a second shellmember wherein the first shell member is hingedly attached to the secondshell member; (b) an appendage attached to the first shell memberwherein the appendage extends beyond the first shell member when theappendage is oriented adjacent to an outer surface of the first shellmember; and (c) an engagement member attached to the second shell memberfor engaging with the appendage.

In one embodiment, the engagement member further includes a lock forlocking the appendage to the engagement member, thereby locking thefirst shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding leadcable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the twowelding lead cable connectors inside the shell.

In a different embodiment, the appendage further includes a solid stripincluding a first aperture proximate to a distal end of the solid stripand wherein the engagement member further comprises an extension whereinthe extension extends at least partially through the first aperture. Ina related embodiment, the extension further includes a second aperturewhereby a locking bar from a separate lock can be inserted through thesecond aperture when the extension is extended at least partiallythrough the first aperture, thereby locking the first shell member tothe second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors arelocated in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cableconnectors inside the shell.

In a different embodiment, the engagement member further includes (1) acombination lock including a bar extending from a main body of thecombination lock wherein the combination lock is configured so that thebar can be released from a first position and moved from the firstposition to a second position if a proper combination is input to thecombination lock; and (2) an arm extending from the bar of thecombination lock wherein if the bar is in the first position, the armengages the engagement member with the appendage, thereby locking theappendage to the engagement member and, if two welding lead cableconnectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two weldinglead cable connectors inside the shell. In a related embodiment, theengagement member further includes (3) an outer housing attached to thesecond shell member; (4) a rod extending through the outer housing andattached to the outer housing; (5) a rotation member attached along therod so that the rotation member is configured to rotate along the rodback and forth from a first orientation to a second orientation andwherein the rotation member includes a tongue extending out from a mainbody of the rotation member proximate a first edge of the rotationmember and a leg extending out from the main body of the rotation memberproximate a second edge of the rotation member; (6) a biasing memberengaged with the rotation member for biasing the rotation member to thefirst orientation when the bar is in the first position; and the armfurther including a wedge-shaped extension for biasing the rotationmember to the second orientation when the bar is in the second position,wherein the appendage further includes a solid strip including aplurality of teeth facing the tongue of the rotation member wherein thetongue engages with one of the teeth when the bar is in the firstposition and wherein the tongue is released from the teeth when the baris in the second position.

In a different embodiment, the appendage may further include a solidstrip including an extension proximate a distal end of the solid stripwherein the extension includes an aperture through which the arm canextend when the bar is in the first position, thereby locking the firstshell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cableconnectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two weldinglead cable connectors inside the shell.

In another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a method oflocking two welding leads together, the method including the steps of(i) placing a first welding lead cable connector into a first portion ofa shell including a first shell member hingedly attached to a secondshell member; (ii) placing a second welding lead cable connector into asecond portion of the shell; and (iii) closing the shell to a closedposition wherein a primary cavity is defined inside the solid sell andwherein the first welding lead cable connector and the second weldinglead cable connector are held inside the shell. In the embodiment, themethod further includes the step of (iv) locking the first shell memberto the second shell member, thereby locking the first welding lead cableconnector and the second welding lead cable connector inside the shell.

The summary provided herein is intended to provide examples ofparticular disclosed embodiments and is not intended to cover allpotential embodiments or combinations of embodiments. Therefore, thissummary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosurein any way, a function which is reserved for the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elementsare not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein likereference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views,and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in an open position wherein someinternal components are shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 2 shows a drawing of an embodiment of the welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus from FIG. 1 shown in a closed but unlockedposition wherein some internal components are shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 3 shows a drawing of an embodiment of the welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shown in a closed andlocked position wherein some internal components are shown in dashedlines;

FIG. 4 shows a drawing of an embodiment of the welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus from FIGS. 1-3 shown in a closed and lockedposition with two cable connectors from two different welding leadslocked in a shell of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatuswherein some internal components including the cable connectors areshown in dashed lines;

FIG. 5 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a first shell member of thewelding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a second shell member of thewelding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of anengagement member from the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4 wherein a bar of the engagement member issituated in a locked (first) position and wherein an outer housing ofthe engagement member is removed to reveal certain internal components;

FIG. 8 shows a drawing of close-up view of an embodiment of anengagement member from the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4 wherein the bar of the engagement member issituated in an unlocked (second) position and wherein an outer housingof the engagement member is removed to reveal certain internalcomponents;

FIG. 9 shows a drawing of a close-up cutaway view (cut along line A-A ofFIG. 3) of an embodiment of the engagement member shown in FIG. 7wherein the bar of the engagement member is situated in a locked (first)position and a rotation member is situated in a first orientation;

FIG. 10 shows a drawing of a close-up cutaway view (cut along line A-Aof FIG. 3) of an embodiment of the engagement member shown in FIG. 8wherein the bar of the engagement member is situated in an unlocked(second) position and the rotation member is situated in a secondorientation;

FIG. 11A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of alock housing for use with the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 11B shows a drawing of a side view of an embodiment of a lockhousing for use with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatusshown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 12A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of asolid strip for use with the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 12B shows a drawing of a side view of an embodiment of a solidstrip for use with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatusshown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 13 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in a closed but unlatched and unlockedposition;

FIG. 14A a drawing of a perspective view of a first shell member fromthe welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14B shows a drawing of an end view of the first shell member shownin FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14C shows a drawing of a side view of the first shell member shownin FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B;

FIG. 14D shows a drawing of a bottom view looking into the first shellmember shown in FIGS. 14A-14C;

FIG. 15A shows a drawing of a perspective view of a second shell memberfrom the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG.13;

FIG. 15B shows a drawing of an end view of the second shell member shownin FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C shows a drawing of a side view of the second shell member shownin FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B;

FIG. 15D shows a drawing of a bottom view looking into the second shellmember shown in FIGS. 15A-15C;

FIG. 16 shows a drawing of an end view of the welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13 including an engagementmember with certain components inside an outer housing of the engagementmember shown as dashed lines;

FIG. 17 shows a drawing of the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 16 with the outer housing removed toreveal internal components wherein a bar of the engagement member issituated in a locked (first) position and a rotation member is situatedin a first orientation;

FIG. 18 shows a drawing of the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 with the outer housingremoved to reveal internal components wherein the bar of the engagementmember is situated in an unlocked (second) position and the rotationmember is situated in a second orientation;

FIG. 19 shows a drawing of an end view of the welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 16 with the outer housingremoved showing an appendage engaged with a rotation member of theengagement member while the bar is situated in the locked (first)position and the rotation member is situated in the first orientation;

FIG. 20 shows a drawing of an end view of the welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 17 with the outer housingremoved showing an appendage disengaged with a rotation member of theengagement member while the bar is situated in the unlocked (second)position and the rotation member is situated in the second orientation;

FIG. 21A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of anappendage used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatusshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 21B shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of theappendage used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatusshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 22A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of theouter housing used with the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 22B shows a drawing of a side view of an embodiment of the outerhousing used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatusshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 23A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of arotation member used with the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 23B shows a drawing of a plan view of an embodiment of the rotationmember used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatusshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 23C shows a drawing of an end view of an embodiment of the rotationmember used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatusshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 24A shows a first perspective view of an embodiment of a bar andassociated arm shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18;

FIG. 24B shows a second perspective view of an embodiment of a bar andassociated arm shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18;

FIG. 25 shows a drawing of a partially exploded view looking into thesecond shell member shown in FIGS. 15A-15D and showing an example of ascrew and sunken screw holes;

FIG. 26 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in a closed but unlocked position;

FIG. 27 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of anappendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cable connectorholding apparatus shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows a drawing of an embodiment a drawing of a close-up view ofan appendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 wherein theappendage and the engagement member are engaged together and lockedtogether using a separate lock;

FIG. 29 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus shown in a closed but unlatched and unlockedposition;

FIG. 30 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of anappendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cable connectorholding apparatus shown in FIG. 29 wherein a bar of the engagementmember is shown in an unlocked (second) position;

FIG. 31 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of anappendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cable connectorholding apparatus shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 wherein the bar of theengagement member is shown in a locked (first) position; and

FIG. 32 shows a drawing of a first cable connector of a first weldinglead attached to a second cable connector of a second welding lead.

The figures are provided to illustrate concepts of the inventiondisclosure and are not intended to embody all potential embodiments ofthe invention. Therefore, the figures are not intended to limit thescope of the invention disclosure in any way, a function which isreserved for the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Someof these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. Thedefinitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words beingdefined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If thedefinition of any term below diverges from the commonly understoodand/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions belowcontrol.

FIGS. 1-4 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 100 forholding welding lead cable connectors together and for protecting suchleads. The apparatus 100 includes a shell 102 preferably made of asturdy, non-conductive material defining a primary cavity 104. The shell102 includes a first shell member 106A and a second shell member 106B(collectively, “shell members” 106) attached to one another (preferablyvia a hinge configuration) so that the shell members 106 can be rotatedto a closed position shown in FIG. 3, defining the primary cavity 104where a first welding lead 108A and a second welding lead 108B can beattached and held together in place by the apparatus 100 as shown, forexample, in FIG. 4. The first welding lead 108A includes a first weldinglead cable connector 110A held inside the shell 102 when the shell 102is in a closed position, and the second welding lead 108B includes asecond welding lead cable connector 110B held inside the shell 102 whenthe shell 102 is in a closed position. As further shown in FIG. 4, thefirst welding lead 108A extends out of a first shell aperture 111A andthe second welding lead 108B extends out of a second shell aperture111B. The first shell member 106A is shown by itself in FIG. 5 and thesecond shell member 106B is shown by itself in FIG. 6.

The first shell member 106A preferably includes outer regions 112including a first outer region 112A and a second outer region 112B thatare tapered to hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside theshell 102. Similarly, the second shell member 106B preferably includesouter regions 114 including a first outer region 114A and a second outerregion 114B that are also tapered to hold welding lead cable connectorsin place inside the shell 102. In various embodiments described andsuggested herein, the shell members 106 are fastened together using someform of a locking mechanism. The complexity of the locking mechanism mayvary in different embodiments but in each embodiment, such mechanism isused to hold the shell members 106 together and thereby hold weldinglead cable connectors in place inside the shell 102.

The apparatus 100 includes an appendage 116 attached to the first shellmember 106A and an engagement member 118 attached to the second shellmember 106B. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10, the appendage 116includes a solid strip 119 that is preferably attached to the firstshell member 106A and is configured to extend beyond the first shellmember 106A when the appendage 116 is oriented adjacent to an outersurface 120 of the first shell member 106A. The solid strip 119 ispreferably shaped to curve with the outer surface 120 of the first shellmember 106A. The engagement member 118 is configured to receive andengage with the appendage 116.

The example engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 includes acombination lock 122. A close-up view of the engagement member 118including the combination lock 122 is shown in FIGS. 7-8. Thecombination features and associated mechanical components of suchcombination features of combination locks are well-known to a personhaving ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, such features are notdescribed in detail here. In addition to such basic internal combinationmechanical features, the combination lock 122 includes a bar 124extending from a main body 126 of the combination lock 122 wherein thecombination lock 122 is configured so that the bar 124 can be releasedfrom a locked position (a first position) and moved from the firstposition (see FIG. 7) to an unlocked position (a second position; seeFIG. 8) if a proper combination is input to the combination lock 122.The engagement member 118 further includes an arm 128 extending from thebar 124 of the combination lock 122 wherein if the bar 124 is in thefirst position, the arm 128 engages the engagement member 118 with theappendage 116, thereby locking the appendage 116 to the engagementmember 118 and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in theprimary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside theshell 102.

FIGS. 7-10 show a specific example of how the appendage 116 engages withthe engagement member 118. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10, theappendage 116 includes a plurality of teeth 130 facing down toward theshell members 106. The engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10preferably further includes an outer housing 132 (also referred toherein as “lock housing”) attached to the second shell member 106B. Theouter housing 132 can be attached to the second shell member 106B bydifferent methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art suchas welding, screws, pins, glue, or combinations thereof. The engagementmember 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 preferably further includes a rod134 extending through the outer housing 132 and attached to the outerhousing 132. The engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 alsopreferably includes a rotation member 136 attached along the rod 134 sothat the rotation member 136 is configured to rotate along the rod 134back and forth from a first orientation (see FIG. 7) to a secondorientation (see FIG. 8) and wherein the rotation member 136 includes atongue 138 extending out from a main body 140 of the rotation member 136proximate a first edge 142A of the rotation member and a leg 144extending out from the main body 140 of the rotation member 136proximate a second edge 142B of the rotation member 136. The engagementmember 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 also preferably includes at leastone biasing member 146 engaged with the rotation member 136 for biasingthe rotation member 136 toward the first orientation when the bar 124 isin the first position (see FIG. 7). The at least one biasing member 146preferably includes a torsion spring 148 as shown in FIGS. 7-10. The arm128 shown in FIGS. 7-8 further includes a wedge-shaped extension 150 forbiasing the rotation member 136 toward the second orientation when thebar 124 is in the second position (see FIG. 8). The plurality of teeth130 of the appendage 116 form a ratchet track 152 facing the tongue 138of the rotation member 136 wherein the tongue 138 engages with one ofthe teeth 130 when the bar 124 is in the first position and the rotationmember is in the first orientation (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 9), and whereinthe tongue 138 is released from the teeth 130 when the bar 124 is movedto the second position and the rotation member is situated in the secondorientation (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 10). The bar 124 is released byinputting a proper combination code into the combination lock 122.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the torsion spring 148 includes a first branch154 that is preferably attached proximate to a third edge 142C of therotation member 136 through a bulge borehole 156 in a bugle 158 alongthe third edge 142C of the rotation member 136. A second branch 160 ofthe torsion spring 148 is preferably pressed against or otherwiseengaged with the housing 132 or other solid fixed object inside thehousing 132.

Appendage 116 preferably includes a hinge joint 162 including anappendage pin 163 for attaching the solid strip 119 to the first shellmember 106A as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The hinge joint 162 can be attachedto the first shell member 106A by welding, screws, glue or other similarattachment means known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. Thefirst shell member 106A is preferably attached to the second shellmember 106B via a hinge mechanism including a shell pin 164 extendingthrough a shell borehole 166 formed by combining interlockingprojections 168 from the first shell member 106A and the second shellmember 106B.

FIGS. 11A-11B show an embodiment of the lock housing 132 by itselfincluding a first lock housing aperture 170 through which part of thesolid strip 119 extends. Also shown are a plurality of second lockhousing apertures 172 through which the bar 124 extends. A third lockhousing aperture 174 is shown through which the arm 128 extends.Finally, a plurality of fourth lock housing apertures 176 are shown onopposite sides of the housing 132 wherein the rod 134 extends into eachof the fourth lock housing apertures 176. FIGS. 12A-12B show anembodiment of the solid strip 119 by itself.

FIGS. 13 and 16-20 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus200 which includes a shell 202 defining a cavity 204 wherein the shell202 further includes a first shell member 206A (see FIGS. 20A-20D) and asecond shell member 206B (see FIGS. 21A-21D) (hereinafter, collectively,“shell members 206”). The apparatus 200 further includes an appendage208 attached to the first shell member 206A and an engagement member 210attached to the second shell member 206B wherein the apparatus 200 isconfigured to engage the engagement member 210 with the appendage 208 inorder to lock the first shell member 206A and the second shell member206B together so that the apparatus 200 is in a closed position. Ifwelding lead cable connectors are present inside the primary cavity 204,such welding lead cable connectors are effectively locked inside theshell 202, thereby locking and protecting the associated welding leads.The wires of the welding lead cables can extend out of a first shellaperture 211A and a second shell aperture 211B.

The first shell member 206A preferably includes outer regions 212including a first outer region 212A and a second outer region 212B thatare tapered to hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside theshell 202. Similarly, the second shell member 206B preferably includesouter regions 213 including a first outer region 213A and a second outerregion 213B that are also tapered to hold welding lead cable connectorsin place inside the shell 202. In various embodiments described andsuggested herein, the shell members 206 are fastened together using someform of a locking mechanism. The complexity of the locking mechanism mayvary in different embodiments but in each embodiment, such mechanism isused to hold the shell members 206 together and thereby hold weldinglead cable connectors in place inside the shell 202.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20, the appendage 208includes a solid strip 214 that is preferably attached to the firstshell member 206A and is configured to extend beyond the first shellmember 206A when the appendage 208 is oriented adjacent to an outersurface 215 of the first shell member 206A. The solid strip 214 ispreferably shaped to curve with the outer surface 215 of the first shellmember 206A.

The engagement member 210 is configured to receive and engage with theappendage 208. The example engagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and16-20 includes a combination lock 216. A close-up view of the engagementmember 210 including the combination lock 216 is shown in FIGS. 16-20.The combination features and associated mechanical components of suchcombination features of combination locks are well-known to a personhaving ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, such features are notdescribed in detail here. In addition to such basic internal combinationmechanical features, the combination lock 216 includes a bar 218extending from a main body 220 of the combination lock 216 wherein thecombination lock 216 is configured so that the bar 218 can be releasedfrom a locked position (a first position) and moved from the firstposition (see FIGS. 17 and 19) to an unlocked position (a secondposition; see FIGS. 18 and 20) if a proper combination is input to thecombination lock 216. The engagement member 210 further includes an arm222 extending from the bar 218 of the combination lock 216 wherein ifthe bar 218 is in the first position, the arm 222 engages the engagementmember 210 with the appendage 208, thereby locking the appendage 208 tothe engagement member 210 and, if two welding lead cable connectors arelocated in the primary cavity 204, locking the two welding lead cableconnectors inside the shell 202.

FIGS. 19-20 show a specific example of how the appendage 208 engageswith the engagement member 210. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and16-20, the appendage 208 includes a plurality of teeth 224 facing downtoward the shell members 206. The engagement member 210 shown in FIGS.13 and 16 preferably further includes an outer housing 226 (alsoreferred to herein as “lock housing”) attached to the second shellmember 206B. The outer housing 226 can be attached to the second shellmember 206B by different methods known to persons having ordinary skillin the art such as welding, screws, pins, glue, or combinations thereof.The engagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20 preferably furtherincludes a rod 228 extending through the outer housing 226 and attachedto the outer housing 226. The rod is preferably ⅛ inches in diameter,but other sized rods can be used in this and other embodiments. Theengagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20 also preferablyincludes a rotation member 230 configured along the rod 228 so that therod extends through a rotation member borehole 231. In this way, therotation member 230 is configured to rotate along the rod 228 back andforth from a first orientation (see FIGS. 17 and 19) to a secondorientation (see FIGS. 18 and 20) and wherein the rotation member 230includes a tongue 232 extending out from a main body 234 of the rotationmember 230 proximate a first edge 236A of the tab and a leg 238extending out from the main body 234 of the rotation member 230proximate a second edge 236B of the rotation member 230. The engagementmember 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20 also preferably includes at leastone biasing member 240 engaged with the rotation member 230 for biasingthe rotation member 230 toward the first orientation when the bar 218 isin the first position (see FIGS. 17 and 19). The at least one biasingmember 240 preferably includes a plurality of torsion springs 242 asshown as a first torsion spring 242A and a second torsion spring 242B inFIGS. 17 and 18. The arm 222 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 further includes awedge-shaped extension 244 for biasing the rotation member 230 towardthe second orientation when the bar 218 is in the second position (seeFIGS. 18 and 20). The plurality of teeth 224 of the appendage 208 form aratchet track 246 facing the tongue 232 of the rotation member 230wherein the tongue 232 engages with one of the teeth 224 when the bar218 is in the first position (see FIGS. 17 and 19) and wherein thetongue 232 is released from the teeth 224 when the bar 218 is moved tothe second position (see FIGS. 18 and 20). The bar 218 is released byinputting a proper combination code into the combination lock 216.

As shown in FIGS. 17-20, the first torsion spring 242A includes a firstbranch 248A attached proximate to a third edge 236C of the rotationmember 230 and the second torsion spring 242B includes a first branch248B attached proximate to a fourth edge 236D of the rotation member230. The first branch 248A of the first torsion spring 242A extends intoa first slot 250A inside the rotation member 230. The first branch 248Bof the second torsion spring 242B extends into a second slot 250B insidethe rotation member 230. A second branch 252A of the first torsionspring 242A is preferably pressed against or otherwise engaged with thehousing 226 or other solid fixed object inside the housing 226.Similarly, a second branch 252B of the second torsion spring 242B ispreferably pressed against or otherwise engaged with the housing 226 orother solid fixed object inside the housing 226.

Appendage 208 (shown by itself in FIGS. 21A-21B) preferably includes ahinge joint 254 including an appendage pin 256 for attaching the solidstrip 214 to the first shell member 206A as shown in FIGS. 13 and 19-20.The hinge joint 254 can be attached to the first shell member 206A bywelding, screws, glue or other similar attachment means known to personshaving ordinary skill in the art. The first shell member 206A ispreferably attached to the second shell member 206B via a hingemechanism including a shell pin 258 extending through a shell borehole260 formed by combining interlocking projections 262 from the firstshell member 206A and the second shell member 206B. The appendage pin256 and the shell pin 258 are both preferably ⅛ inches in diameter butother pin sizes can be used in this and other embodiments.

FIGS. 22A-22B show an embodiment of the lock housing 226 by itselfincluding a first lock housing slot 264 through which part of the solidstrip 214 extends. Also shown are a plurality of second lock housingslots 266 through which the bar 218 extends. A third lock housing slot268 is shown through which the arm 222 extends. Finally, a pair offourth lock housing slots 270 are shown on opposite sides of the housing226 wherein the rod 228 extends into each of the fourth lock housingslots 270. Images of the rotation member 230 are shown in FIGS. 23A-23Cproviding more detail on the shape of the preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 23A-23C. FIGS. 24A and 24B show different views of the bar 218 andarm 222.

When screws 272 are used to attach features of various embodimentsdescribed here, holes 274 for such screws 272 are preferably countersunkso that the holes 274 can be filled with silicone to disrupt orotherwise block any electric flow from welding leads to the screws 272as shown, for example, in FIG. 25.

Most if not all of the components of the welding lead cable connectorholding apparatus 100, the welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus 200, as well as other embodiments described herein arepreferably made of non-conductive materials such as, for example,polymeric materials such as plastics. However, metal(s) or metalalloy(s) can also be used in some embodiments for all or some of thefeatures of the overall device. One benefit of nonmetals is that suchmaterials are often less conductive than metals. At least the exteriorof the welding lead cable connector holding apparatuses is preferablymade from non-conductive materials. The dimensions of the components ofthe welding lead cable connector holding apparatuses can vary dependingon the sizes of welding leads that are to be held in place by the shell102 or the shell 202. Preferably, the length of the first shell member106A and the first shell member 206A ranges from about 9.5 to about 11.5inches and each of the outer regions 112 preferably have a length offrom about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. Similarly, the length of thesecond shell member 106B and the second shell member 206B ranges fromabout 9.5 to about 11.5 inches and each of the outer regions 114preferably have a length of from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches.

FIGS. 26-28 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 300which includes a shell 302 defining a cavity 304 wherein the shell 302further includes a first shell member 306A and a second shell member306B. The apparatus 300 further includes an appendage 308 attached tothe first shell member 306A and an engagement member 310 attached to thesecond shell member 306B wherein the apparatus 300 is configured toengage the engagement member 310 with the appendage 308 in order to lockthe first shell member 306A and the second shell member 306B together sothat the apparatus 300 is in a closed position. If welding lead cableconnectors are present inside the primary cavity 304, such welding leadcable connectors are effectively locked inside the shell 302, therebylocking and protecting the associated welding leads.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 26-28, the appendage 308 includes asolid strip 312 including a solid strip aperture 314 proximate to adistal end 316 of the solid strip 312. The engagement member 310 furtherincludes an extension 318 extending out from an outer surface 320 of thesecond shell member 306B wherein the extension includes an extensionaperture 322. The appendage 316 is preferably attached to the firstshell member 306A via a hinge joint 324 so that the appendage can bemaneuvered to a position in which the extension 318 extends at leastpartially through the solid strip aperture 314. When in this position, abar from a separate lock (e.g., a common padlock) can be insertedthrough the extension aperture 322 and used to lock the appendage 308 tothe engagement member 310, thereby locking the first shell member 306Aand the second shell member 306B together so that the apparatus 300 isin a closed position.

FIGS. 29-31 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 400which includes a shell 402 defining a cavity 404 wherein the shell 402further includes a first shell member 406A and a second shell member406B. The apparatus 400 further includes an appendage 408 attached tothe first shell member 406A and an engagement member 410 attached to thesecond shell member 406B wherein the apparatus 400 is configured toengage the engagement member 410 with the appendage 408 in order to lockthe first shell member 406A and the second shell member 406B together sothat the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 400 is in aclosed position. If welding lead cable connectors are present inside theprimary cavity 404, such welding lead cable connectors are effectivelylocked inside the shell 402, thereby locking and protecting theassociated welding leads.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 29-31, the appendage 408 includes asolid strip 412 that is preferably attached to the first shell member406A and is configured to extend beyond the first shell member 406A whenthe appendage 408 is oriented adjacent to an outer surface 414 of thefirst shell member 406A. The solid strip 412 is preferably shaped tocurve with the outer surface 414 of the first shell member 406A. Theengagement member 410 is configured to receive and engage with theappendage 408. The example engagement member 410 shown in FIGS. 28-30includes a combination lock 416. A close-up view of the engagementmember 410 including the combination lock 416 is shown in FIGS. 30-31.The combination features and associated mechanical components of suchcombination features of combination locks are well-known to a personhaving ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, such features are notdescribed in detail here. In addition to such basic internal combinationmechanical features, the combination lock 416 includes a bar 418extending from a main body 420 of the combination lock 416 wherein thecombination lock 416 is configured so that the bar 418 can be moved froma locked position (a first position; see FIG. 30) to an unlockedposition (a second position; see FIG. 31) if a proper combination isinput to the combination lock 416. The combination lock 416 furtherincludes an arm 422 extending from the bar 418 of the combination lock416 wherein if the bar 418 is in the first position, the arm 422 engageswith the appendage 408, thereby locking the appendage 408 to theengagement member 410 and, if two welding lead cable connectors arelocated in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cableconnectors inside the shell 402.

As shown in FIGS. 29-31, the appendage 408 includes a solid stripextension 424 extending out proximate to a distal end 426 of the solidstrip 412. The appendage 408 is preferably attached to the first shellmember 406A via a hinge joint 428 so that the appendage 408 can bemaneuvered to a position in which at least part of the bar 418 can beinserted through an extension aperture 430 located in the solid stripextension 424. When at least part of the bar 418 is inserted through theextension aperture 430, the combination lock 416 is in the locked(first) position shown in FIG. 30 and the appendage 408 is preventedfrom being easily released from the engagement member 410, therebylocking the first shell member 406A and the second shell member 406Btogether so that the apparatus 400 is in a closed position. If weldinglead cable connectors are present inside the primary cavity 404, suchwelding lead cable connectors are effectively locked inside the shell402, thereby locking and protecting the associated welding leads. Tounlock the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 400, a propercombination can be input to the combination lock 416, thereby releasingthe bar 418 to the unlocked (second) position which, in turn, causes thebar 418 to exit the extension aperture 430.

The previously described embodiments of the present disclosure have manyadvantages. FIG. 32 shows the first welding lead 108A attached to thesecond welding lead 108B without use of a welding lead cable connectorholding apparatus. Without a welding lead cable connector holdingapparatus, such welding leads 108 can be easily completely or partiallydisengaged, prone to exposure of electrical current outside the device(electrocution risk), and easily stolen. The locking of the engagementmember and appendage in various embodiments disclosed herein secureswelding lead cable connectors inside the shell of a welding lead cableconnector holding apparatus, thereby preventing many of these drawbacks.Additionally, in certain embodiments, the ratchet track (152 or 246)allows for the shell members (106 or 206) to be tightened or loosenedfrom one another intermittently as needed based on the size of weldinglead cable connectors and other factors.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the presentdisclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the preciseform(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and describedin an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of thedisclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one ofordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in thedisclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications andvariations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by theappended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to whichthey are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

1. An apparatus for holding welding lead cable connectors together andfor protecting such welding leads, the apparatus comprising: a. a shelldefining a primary cavity therein, the shell further comprising a firstshell member and a second shell member wherein the first shell member ishingedly attached to the second shell member; and b. an appendageattached to the first shell member wherein the appendage extends beyondthe first shell member when the appendage is oriented adjacent to anouter surface of the first shell member; c. an engagement memberattached to the second shell member for engaging with the appendage,wherein the engagement member further comprises a lock housing andassociated lock for locking the appendage to the engagement member,thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and,if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity,locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell. 2.(canceled)
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the appendage furthercomprises a solid strip including a first aperture proximate to a distalend of the solid strip and wherein the engagement member furthercomprises an extension wherein the extension extends at least partiallythrough the first aperture.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the engagement member further comprises: a. a combination lockincluding a bar extending from a main body of the combination lockwherein the combination lock is configured so that the bar can bereleased from a first position and moved from the first position to asecond position if a proper combination is input to the combinationlock; b. an arm extending from the bar of the combination lock whereinif the bar is in the first position, the arm engages the engagementmember with the appendage, thereby locking the appendage to theengagement member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are locatedin the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectorsinside the shell.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the appendagefurther comprises a solid strip including an extension proximate adistal end of the solid strip wherein the extension includes an aperturethrough which the arm can extend when the bar is in the first position,thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and,if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity,locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the engagement member further comprises:a. an outer housing attached to the second shell member; b. a rodextending through the outer housing and attached to the outer housing;c. a rotation member attached along the rod so that the rotation memberis configured to rotate along the rod back and forth from a firstorientation to a second orientation and wherein the rotation memberincludes a tongue extending out from a main body of the rotation memberproximate a first edge of the rotation member and a leg extending outfrom the main body of the rotation member proximate a second edge of therotation member; d. a biasing member engaged with the rotation memberfor biasing the rotation member to the first orientation when the bar isin the first position; and e. the arm further comprising a wedge-shapedextension for biasing the rotation member to the second orientation whenthe bar is in the second position; and wherein the appendage furthercomprises a solid strip including a plurality of teeth facing the tongueof the rotation member wherein the tongue engages with one of the teethwhen the bar is in the first position and wherein the tongue is releasedfrom one of the teeth when the bar is in the second position.
 8. Amethod of locking two welding leads together, the method comprising thesteps of: a. placing a first welding lead cable connector into a firstportion of a shell including a first shell member hingedly attached to asecond shell member; b. placing a second welding lead cable connectorinto a second portion of the shell; c. closing the shell to a closedposition wherein a primary cavity is defined inside the solid sell andwherein the first welding lead cable connector and the second weldinglead cable connector are held inside the shell.
 9. The method of claim 8further comprising the step of d. locking the first shell member to thesecond shell member, thereby locking the first welding lead cableconnector and the second welding lead cable connector inside the shell.